A bid for a new school in north Carlisle has been turned down by the Department for Education.

But housebuilder Story Homes says it still has plans to build a school at Crindledyke Farm once it has completed 200 properties - despite the rejection.

It has built 184 homes so far on the estate near Kingmoor Park - which is set to be one of the biggest developments in the city in years.

Discussions about the new school will take place with the city and county council in the near future.

The construction firm has been working with the Diocese of Carlisle to support its application for a Free School.

Free Schools are similar to academies, where they are funded directly by central government and have greater freedoms to set term dates, what is taught and governance.

Ian Storey, managing director of Story Homes, has written to Crindledyke Farm residents informing them that the bid for Free School status was rejected by the Department for Education.

He said: "Unfortunately, and despite the proposed school facilities being provided by Story Homes at no cost to the tax payer, the bid for Free School status was turned down."

The Cumberland News was told by the Department for Education that turning down an application for a free school was not something they did lightly.

A spokesman said schools were often turned down if they did not offer value for money or if it wasn't going to house enough pupils.

Mr Storey said: "We understand that there are concerns surrounding the provision of school places in north Carlisle and we are advised by the local education authority that sufficient primary school places remain available within the catchment school at Rockcliffe for those children living at Crindledyke Farm.

"We want to ensure that we are doing the right thing by the city and the children on our development by providing the right provision at the right time, in agreement with the school authorities.

"As our detailed planning application takes shape, we will engage with stakeholders, including the community at Crindledyke Farm, to ensure that our proposals clearly illustrate how our obligations, including the provision of a school as set out in the outline planning approval, are to be met."

No one from the Carlisle Diocese was available for comment.